Whedon was slated to write and direct the upcoming big-screen adaptation of Gotham City's other bat-inspired vigilante, but announced Thursday he was stepping down because of story struggles.

"Batgirl is such an exciting project, and Warners/DC such collaborative and supportive partners, that it took me months to realize I really didn't have a story," Whedon told The Hollywood Reporter in a statement. "I'm grateful to Geoff (Johns) and Toby (Emmerich) and everyone who was so welcoming when I arrived, and so understanding when I…uh, is there a sexier word for 'failed?'"

Johns is president of DC Entertainment, while Emmerich heads Warner Bros.

The "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" creator joined the project last March with the hopes of finally bringing Barbara Gordon — daughter of Gotham City police commissioner James Gordon — to the big screen.

Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that part of Whedon's problems may have stemmed from potential backlash in a man helming a film about a female superhero, particularly in the age of #MeToo and Time's Up.

Many fans want to see Whedon replaced with a woman.

(DC Comics)

The idea of hiring a woman to take his place quickly floated around Twitter, with many fans saying they'd prefer it that way, similar to how Patty Jenkins directed this summer's smash hit "Wonder Woman."

"Joss Whedon is finally of Batgirl. Good. Hire a woman," one user wrote.

Added another, "It's WAY easier to find a woman who is both a fantastic director AND able to direct women in a meaningful, non-objectifying manner. Just compare Joss Whedon's Wonder Woman script to the film we eventually got from Patty Jenkins. Worlds apart."